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| Stretching for virtues |
In the Letter to the Galatians, Paul lists vices that trap us as he presents the path to virtuous life in the Spirit.
* [5:19–23] Such lists of vices and virtues (cf. Rom 1:29–31; 1 Cor 6:9–10) were common in the ancient world. Paul contrasts works of the flesh (Gal 5:19) with fruit (not “works”) of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Not law, but the Spirit, leads to such traits.In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus declares denunciation of the Pharisees and Scholars of the Law who attend to their privileges and suppress the freedom of the people.
* [11:37–54] This denunciation of the Pharisees (Lk 11:39–44) and the scholars of the law (Lk 11:45–52) is set by Luke in the context of Jesus’ dining at the home of a Pharisee. Controversies with or reprimands of Pharisees are regularly set by Luke within the context of Jesus’ eating with Pharisees (see Lk 5:29–39; 7:36–50; 14:1–24). A different compilation of similar sayings is found in Mt 23 (see also notes there).Cindy Murphy McMahon notes that when we are tempted to think that we have progressed as human beings so far beyond the ancient world, we need only to reflect on the list Paul offers to the Galatians to see that humans are still tempted by the very same weaknesses in human nature.
So where is the comfort? Just reflect on the words that are the fruit of the Spirit that he names: "Patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." What happens when we ponder that list? Doesn’t our heart rate slow down, our mind and body become more relaxed? Don’t we feel quietly happy? The other list is hard and tense and divisive, whereas these words are like balm. What would happen to our minds, our bodies and our daily routines if we began each day, or reflected during the day, on patience, kindness, gentleness, etc.?Psalm 1 is entitled “The Two Ways”. It presents the theme of the fruits of choosing to follow the way of God.
Don Schwager quotes “Binding heavy burdens on others”, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
"Just as the scribes and Pharisees wickedly sat upon the throne of Moses, so do some in the church who sit upon the ecclesiastical throne. There are some in the church who have the right understanding of the law and pass it on correctly. They say what each person needs to do, but they themselves do not do it. Some of them lay heavy burdens upon the shoulders of men, but they won’t even lift a finger to help. These are the ones the Savior is talking about when he says, 'Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of God' (Matthew 5:19). There are others, however, who sit on the throne, who act before they speak and speak wisely, restraining those who are disordered. They place merciful burdens on the shoulders of others. They themselves are the first to lift the heavy burden, for the exhortation of other listeners. It is these of whom the Lord speaks when he says, 'He who does so and teaches others to do so, this man will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 9)The Word Among Us Meditation on Psalm 1:1-4, 6 notes that when we follow the law of the Lord, we are like a fruitful tree planted by the water. St. Paul uses a similar image when he urges us to “live by the Spirit” so that we can bear “the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16, 22). In effect, we need to be as aggressive as that willow tree as we send our roots deep and wide in search of the Holy Spirit’s living water.
So how can we stretch our roots toward that living water? By being clear and decisive. For instance, when you hear the voice of your conscience telling you to bite your tongue instead of engaging in gossip, don’t brush it off. If a Scripture passage or prayer catches your attention at Mass, linger in your pew and ask the Holy Spirit more about it. Start your day by bringing your chores and appointments to the Lord and asking for his direction or wisdom.Friar Jude Winkler contrasts the order of Paul’s list of virtues with the disorder of the list of vices. Attending to the virtues will make us the most virtuous. The over scrupulous directives of the Pharisees and the scholars of the Law should put us on guard not to steal the freedom of others.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that all healthy religion shows us what to do with our pain, with the absurd, the tragic, the nonsensical, the unjust and the undeserved—all of which eventually come into every lifetime.
If we cannot find a way to make our wounds into sacred wounds, we invariably become cynical, negative, or bitter. This is the storyline of many of the greatest novels, myths, and stories of every culture. If we do not transform our pain, we will most assuredly transmit it—usually to those closest to us: our family, our neighbors, our co-workers, and, invariably, the most vulnerable, our children.Jesus praises faith. It is shown in the ability to stand in liminal space, to stand on the threshold, to hold the contraries, until we are moved by grace to a much deeper level and a much larger frame. Fr Richard teaches that our private pain is not center stage but a mystery shared with every act of bloodshed and every tear wept since the beginning of time. Our pain is not just our own.
References
(n.d.). Galatians chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved October 17, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/galatians/5
(n.d.). Luke chapter 11 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved October 17, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/11
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved October 17, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 17, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved October 17, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 17, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/
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